Scorpions, Tarantulas, Snakes, Oh-My (Austin, San Diego: house, diversity, company)

[fun4mj]

I will definately be up all night freaking out about a scorpion or giant milipede or tarantula. I'd be in a hotel if I couldn't get the bug out before I went to sleep. We were considering PUDs (planned urban developments) Circle C, Westlake, Lake Travis, or Dripping Springs areas. Will the bug population differ because some areas are deeper into the hill country? I like tree's but if they are bridges for stings and bites, I can take them from a distance. We need to find a location in South Austin for my husband's job. Any suggestions?

[Phisch]

From what people have posted on this very long thread, the scorpions and their pals are mostly in the areas with newer developments. They get ornery when their habitat is upset and, since they still need to eat, they will go looking and won't mind at all wandering around the new thing that wasn't there not so long ago.

I don't know if milipedes or tarantulas have seasons, but someone mentioned that scorpions tend to be out Aug (?) through Oct.

We also found out that you want to make sure you have no branches overhanging your roof and fill in any weep holes with bits of steel wool. Cut all grass very short next to your house and no piles of anything next to the house as that's an encouragement to them to live there (not unlike black widow spiders).

[texasboi]

Originally Posted by Zzyzx

The fire ants are the biggest issue for me at the moment, but a little sprinkle of andro seems to make them go away. I have seen 1 live scorpion in 2 years and last week my cat was batting something in the corner of my front door, it was a dead scorpion. I don't think the scorpions are poisonous.

To tell you the truth, my biggest concern is the animals popping onto the highway, so far I have been pretty lucky, but I see deer, possum and other animals ALL the time scattered about.

It's funny how everyone does different danger research for Austin, mine was tornados and fleas(I have 3 cats)

One thing that we really overlooked is allergies, they are a killer. My wife who has never had allergies before is getting hammered year round.

Hi, My boyfriend and I relocating as we soon as we sell our house in NJ and have two dogs who one constantly finds where the fleas hide out and get them....how is the flea problem in Austin...did you find anything out? Thanks

[twange]

Originally Posted by audig4

Hi, My boyfriend and I relocating as we soon as we sell our house in NJ and have two dogs who one constantly finds where the fleas hide out and get them....how is the flea problem in Austin...did you find anything out? Thanks

Well, it's warmer all year long here so the fleas don't really ever go away. You should treat them with the stuff that applies on the nape of their neck. If you do a lot of hiking, you might want to get one of the tick collars as well. Our dog got some when we got here in early Sept. but I have not seen any recently. Back in Ohio, we only gave her treatments from about May until Oct...sometimes

[wtt1971]

We're moving from CA to Austin and based on all postings for this topic, we're gonna find all sorts of spiders, scorpions, snakes, etc, no matter where we move to. Looks like both Arboretum or 2222 are places where critters are really around.
We considered TeraVista (RR), but since it's a new (?) development, what are the chances of having encounters with these 'friends'?
Thanks!

[fun4mj]

Okay, I don't know which I am more horrified by; the scorpion or the centipede. I assumed the centipede was some little fuzzy caterpillar. They are DISGUSTINGLY HUGE!!!

[love roses]

My favorites are the centipedes with bright orange legs.

[vman8126]

Folks, who are new to Texas, seeing critters is inevitable here no matter where you move... Just treat them with respect unless they are an immediate danger to you or your family, and those glue traps are DEATH TRAPS to birds, snakes , lizards, and toads, all of the beneficial creatures that they are NOT meant for,and I have seen all of those things caught in them, so please be thoughtful of where you place them.. I generally recommend the attic or cupboard areas where the concern for mice, scorpions and spiders is more of a concern..... Most snakes can be moved from a porch or yard with a gentle nudge from a broom, including rattlers, however the situation determines the course of action with rattlers, but my first choice is to let them LIVE rather than kill them outright......
The most commonly seen spiders here are Wolf spiders (Tan or Grey and hairy and commonly seen carrying babies) or Jumping Spiders (Black with a white spot on the abdomen and hairy), and while they can look very formidable, they are essentially harmless, although I'm not a fan of spiders myself, I will generally leave them be if they are on the outside of my home.........................

[vman8126]

Originally Posted by wtt1971

We're moving from CA to Austin and based on all postings for this topic, we're gonna find all sorts of spiders, scorpions, snakes, etc, no matter where we move to. Looks like both Arboretum or 2222 are places where critters are really around.
We considered TeraVista (RR), but since it's a new (?) development, what are the chances of having encounters with these 'friends'?
Thanks!

Your chances are probably good, especially in a new development thats disturbing they're habitats.........If your home has more undeveloped rocky and brushy land around it, the more your chances of encountering scorpions and maybe centipedes........Spiders are a given, they're EVERYWHERE, but mainly you will see wolf and jumping spiders which are harmless.... You will see more lizards than snakes in my opinion, but if you encounter a snake, simply allow it to go about its business unless its a rattler and you feel threatened or its an immediate danger to yourself or your family, then take the appropriate action for it.............
You will see plenty deer also, but just watch for them at night and when driving on dark roads as they will run or stand in the road sometimes so keep that in mind........

[twange]

What a sterile world it would be without the various critters living among us? I don't like creeping things either but they are impressive from an evolutionary point of view don't you think?. I mean, they're generally finished in terms of development

Just be reasonable about things. It's not like an Alfred Hitchcock movie here...I honestly don't understand what people expect, especially when building in a previously undeveloped area???

And don't forget Austin is at the confluence of many different ecological zones, so it's one big, happy party...and everyone's invited